At this time of year I start the slow and steady process of pruning all my roses. I do it in bite-sized chunks, and it always takes me a couple of weeks to get round all of our 150-odd shrub rose bushes. I like doing it, but I like pruning some more than others. This … Read more
Monty revisits one of his classic books, Gardening at Longmeadow, in an occasional series. The first batch of the snowdrops in my Spring Garden were planted 15 years ago. They were from a friend’s garden, and they’ve gradually been spreading by seed, although every few years I do lift and divide a clump or two. … Read more
A new leaf for 2021: Make this the year to spruce up and rejig your outdoor space, writes Nigel Colborn British gardening expert Nigel Colborn takes a look ahead to the coming year He gives some hints on how to make your garden prettier and more enjoyable They include dumping the weeds, fixing the mistakes … Read more
Santa’s green stocking! The ultimate Christmas gifts for gardeners Nigel Colborn picked out a selection of Christmas gift suggestions for gardeners British gardener says there are many new tools, fancy pots and helpful books His top picks include Gnome With A Chalkboard and Esschert Design Tool Stool By Nigel Colborn for the Daily Mail Published: 22:05 … Read more
My favourite Christmas trees are growing outside and will – I hope – never be brought into the house. I think I am safe on that score because you would need a crane to shift even the smallest one. There are 16 of them, all clipped to tight cone shapes and all made from yew, … Read more
Blooms for all seasons: Plant versatile roses now and enjoy a colourful show next year Nigel Colborn says the soils are not yet too cold to plant bare-rooted plants He suggests that although the choice is infinite, always go for top performers He revealed the best growers in his garden include the climber R. Compassion By … Read more
When I was growing up, celery was served almost invariably as a summer salad vegetable – and it is very good like this. But cooked celery enriches almost any soup or stew, as well as being tasty in its own right. Celery and its close relative celeriac are both delicious now. Celeriac is cultivated for … Read more
We have reached the tulip-planting season. In theory all other bulbs should be planted by now, leaving tulips till last. In practice, few of us achieve or even aim for that. I still have some daffodils and crocuses to plant and although it is something I should definitely hurry up and get on with, any … Read more
Berries are the surprise gifts that light up autumn. A berry is defined as a fruit with the seeds wrapped in pulpy flesh, which attracts birds and animals to eat them, thus spreading the seeds. Grapes are berries, as are tomatoes, bananas, cucumbers and watermelons, while – technically – raspberries, strawberries and blackberries are not. … Read more
Plump for pumpkins! Whether roasted, mashed or made into soup, pumpkins are a princely veg, says Monty Don. All they need is sun and space to spread… Monty Don shares his tips for growing the best pumpkins Says that growing cross-patch crops such as lettuce or radishes can fill space Ensure 5cm of the pumpkins neck … Read more